What is an A-kassa (Unemployment Insurance Fund)?
A-kassa is the Swedish term commonly used for both the organisation that administers unemployment insurance, the unemployment insurance fund, and the compensation you receive from the fund, in other words, unemployment benefit.
Unemployment insurance is designed to safeguard individuals' financial well-being in case of unemployment. The first unemployment insurance fund was established in the early 1900s by trade unions. The funds are independent organisations, often associated with professional fields or specific trade unions. Akavia, like all unions within the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (Saco), is affiliated with the Akademikernas a-kassa unemployment insurance fund, which is Sweden's largest.
How Does Unemployment Insurance Work in Sweden?
Unemployment insurance essentially provides basic coverage for your salary in the event of unemployment. As a member of an unemployment insurance fund, you have a basic level of security that entitles you to receive compensation if you become unemployed. All unemployment insurance funds in Sweden are covered by the same legislation: the Unemployment Insurance Funds Act and the Unemployment Benefit Act.
What is the Difference Between Unemployment Insurance and Income Insurance?
An Income insurance complements your unemployment insurance and provides a higher level of compensation if you become unemployed.
If you are unemployed and only a member of an unemployment insurance fund, your compensation from the fund can be no more than 80 per cent of SEK 33,000 per month before tax, i.e. SEK 26,400. As a member of both Akavia and the Akademikernas a-kassa unemployment insurance fund, you are covered by Akavia's income insurance at no extra cost. Akavia's income insurance provides compensation for salary above SEK 33,000, meaning 80 per cent up to a limit of SEK 100,000.
Which Unemployment Insurance Fund Should I Choose?
The fund you should choose depends on your profession and the industry you work in. Unemployment insurance funds are often associated with specific professional fields or unions. Akavia, like all unions within the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (Saco), is affiliated with Akademikernas a-kassa, Sweden's largest unemployment insurance fund. This means that you need to be a member of Akademikernas a-kassa to qualify for Akavia's income insurance.
Who Can Join the Akademikernas A-kassa Unemployment Insurance Fund?
Anyone who works or has worked in Sweden can join an unemployment insurance fund. To join Akademikernas a-kassa, you need to be a university graduate.
- To be eligible for Akademikernas a-kassa, you need at least a bachelor's degree. Equivalent university education in another country also applies.
- If you have studied (or are currently studying) at university, Akademikernas a-kassa is the right choice for you.
- People with all types of employment are eligible, and you do not have to be working in the profession for which you are qualified.
- You must have a valid work permit to qualify for membership.
University graduates work in various professions and industries. Anyone can join, regardless of their form of employment*. It is just as important—maybe even more important—that you are a member of an unemployment insurance fund if you have temporary employment.
*Your salary must be paid by an employer. If you receive compensation through the Swedish Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) or the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), that does not count as employment.